Regional News Archives for 2016-08

Ten-year-old Girl Drowns At Kelley Point Park

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say the body of a ten-year-old girl was recovered after she drowned at Kelley Point Park.  Dive teams were in the water to search for the girl yesterday for about 40 minutes before the rescue effort was shifted to a recovery mission.  The body was found around 6:30 yesterday evening.  A man drowned in roughly the same area about two weeks ago.

Wildfires Burning In Spokane Area

(Spokane, WA)  --  Crews are battling several wildfires in the Spokane area, which have scorched thousands of acres and destroyed a number of structures.  Level Three evacuations are in effect as up to five homes have been destroyed, along with up to ten outbuildings.  Officials say the fires continue to threaten homes, powerlines, crops, and timber in Spokane and Lincoln counties.  Authorities say the two fires in Spokane County have consumed an estimated three-thousand acres, and the Lincoln County fire has burned 16-hundred acres.

Gresham Police Search For Missing Man

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police are searching for a missing Washington man who was in town to participate in a swimming competition.  Authorities say 69-year-old Thomas Walker of Sammamish left Mount Hood Community College around eight o'clock yesterday morning and hasn't been heard from since.  Family members are concerned about Walker's heart condition.  Walker is described as white, five-feet-eleven, 180 pounds, with gray hair, was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and swim trunks and carrying a black athletic bag.

Feds To Share Pasco Police Review On Deadly Shooting

(Pasco, WA) -- Federal officials will meet with local leaders in Pasco today to discuss a Department of Justice review of the police department's investigation of a deadly officer-involved shooting.  Antonio Zambrano-Martes, who was 35, was shot multiple times by three officers in February of last year.  Investigators say the man was throwing rocks at police and was high on methamphetamine at the time of the shooting.  Local and federal prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges against the three officers.  Today's meeting at the Pasco police training center is open to the public.

Suspect In Crime Spree Awaits Court Appearance

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who's accused of going on a crime spree in Portland after stealing a car is facing multiple charges.  Authorities say 29-year-old Casey Graham took off Saturday in a vehicle he found empty and running at an apartment complex and drove along northbound Interstate 5, where he hit several vehicles without stopping.  Police say Graham eventually wrecked the car on the I-84 on-ramp from the Morrison Bridge, and attempted to carjack a driver who was stopped.  But officers caught up with Graham and arrested him on charges that include robbery and assault.

Young Girl Critical After Near-drowning

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A young girl is still in critical condition, after she nearly drowned at Paradise Point State Park in Clark County.  Authorities tell KOIN-TV that the girl, who's four or five-years-old, was found around two o'clock Saturday afternoon under the water in the east fork of the Lewis River.  After medics performed CPR, the girl was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest.
 

Child Released From Hospital After Horse Injures 5

(Centralia, WA)  --  A four-year-old girl who was injured after a horse got spooked at the Southwest Washington Fair in Centralia is home from the hospital.  Helen Morgan's father Jake, who was also injured, remains at Harborview Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit.  Three other people were less seriously injured Friday as the horse ran through the fairgrounds while pulling a carriage.  Helen Morgan suffered facial fractures and bruises.

Portland-area Gas Prices Slip

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A's latest survey shows gas prices in the Portland area fell slightly during the past week.  The average for regular is two-43 a gallon, down about a half cent.  The national average for regular is about two-16 a gallon.

Man Killed In Officer-involved Shooting

(Kelso, WA)  --  Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting at a gas station in Kelso.  Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies say a transient who was accused of shoplifting yesterday morning at the Flying K on First Avenue and West Main later returned to the store and starting swinging a walking-stick-type weapon at the clerk and a customer.  A Kelso police officer who responded, John Johnson, shot the suspect to death.  Authorities say the suspect was well-known to Kelso police.

Police Investigate Early-morning Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are investigating reports of shots fired in the Montavilla neighborhood.  Authorities say the drive-by shooting between two vehicles was reported around 1:42 this morning in the area of Northeast 80th and Northeast Glisan.  There's no word on whether anyone was hit.  The intersection was closed during the investigation, but was reopened by about 4:30.

76-year-old Aloha Man Drowns In Lake Near North Plains

(Near North Plains, OR)  --  Authorities say a medical event may have led to the drowning of a 76-year-old Aloha [[ ah-LOW-uh ]] man in a private lake near North Plains.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Charles Merrill fell out of his boat yesterday and into the one-acre lake, located off Northwest Braga Road.  First-responders found the boat had capsized.  Merrill's body was found around five o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Vancouver Woman Pleads Guilty To Drowning One Daughter, Slashing Another

(Astoria, OR)  --  A Vancouver woman is awaiting her sentence, after entering an Alford plea to drowning her toddler and slashing her teenage daughter at a Cannon Beach, Oregon resort.  Jessica Smith entered the plea yesterday in Clatsop County Circuit Court to charges of murder and attempted murder.  It means she maintains her innocence but acknowledges there's enough evidence for a conviction.  Authorities say Smith drowned her two-year-old daughter in a bathtub and slashed her 13-year-old daughter's throat and arms with razor blades in a room at the Surfsand Resort more than two-years ago.

Man Accused In Toddler's Death Appears In Court

(Portland, OR)  --  A 20-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend's two-year-old son remains in the Multnomah County Jail.  Taylor Lynn Kraig is facing a charge of felony murder in the death of Zackariah Daugherty, who officials say died of homicidal violence.  Kraig wore a suicide-prevention vest during yesterday's court appearance, during which he pleaded not guilty.  He's due back in court on August 25th.

Man Shot In Happy Valley Church Parking Lot

(Happy Valley, OR)  --  Clackamas County sheriff's deputies are investigating a shooting that left a man wounded.  The victim was found around 8:15 last night in the parking lot of the New Hope Church on Southeast Stsvens Road.  His current condition is unknown.  Deputies are looking for a suspect, who was seen running from the area.

Bryant, Inslee Debate In Spokane

(Spokane, WA)  --  The first one-on-one debate between incumbent Washington Governor Jay Inslee and his Republican challenger, Bill Bryant, is now history.  The two candidates squared off yesterday in Spokane, touching on topics that included the economy, education, and the minimum wage.  Inslee says he supports Initiative 1433, which would raise the state's hourly minimum to 13-50 an hour by the year 2020.  Bryant says wage hikes are needed, but should be tailored to fit each region of the state.
 

Inmate Who Escaped From Portland Work Crew Captured

(Lane Co., OR)  --  Authorities say an inmate who walked off from a work-release crew in Northwest Portland is back in custody.  Officials say Jason Lewis Ray was taken into custody in Lane County last night, following a standoff at a mobile-home park that lasted several hours.  The Lane County Sheriff's Office says Ray told deputies he had a bomb, but he came out of the mobile home and surrendered after gas was deployed in the residence.  "The Oregonian" reports Ray walked away last Friday from the work crew near Pittock Mansion. 

Four Rafters Missing On Sandy River

(Gresham, OR)  --  Crews are searching for four rafters who are missing on the Sandy River.  Authorities say the four men had started out from Oxbow Park yesterday afternoon, intending to meet two other men at Dabney State Park.  Officials say the four never showed up and the two friends contacted the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.  KOIN-TV reports search-and-rescue personnel have been looking for the lost rafters throughout the night.

Bryant Says He Won't Vote For Trump

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Republican candidate for Washington governor, Bill Bryant, says he won't vote for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.  The former Seattle port commissioner tells SeattlePI.com he also will not vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.  Bryant says he'll consider supporting Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson for president, sentiments that were also recently expressed by Republican Congressman Dave Reichert.  Bryant is challenging Democrat incumbent Jay Inslee for the governor's office.
 

Suspect Sought In Spokane Valley Double Murder

(Spokane Valley, WA)  --  A manhunt continues for a suspect in a double murder in Spokane Valley.  Sheriff's deputies say 44-year-old Gilberto Delgado entered the home of a brother and sister yesterday morning and shot both of them to death.  Authorities say Delgado, who's believed to be armed and dangerous, was the woman's estranged boyfriend.  Investigators say Delgado is Hispanic, stands about six feet tall, weighs about 155 pounds, has brown eyes, a shaved head, and the name "Brenda" tattooed on one of his forearms.

Tests Show 14 Beaverton Schools Have Excessive Lead Levels

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Initial test results show 14 schools in the Beaverton School District have water fountains with lead levels that exceed EPA standards.  Officials say the lead concentrations were found to exist in 100 fountains among the schools.  The district says all 64 of its schools have been tested, but only about one-third of the results have been released.  Officials say all water fixtures with lead in concentrations above 15 parts per billion will be replaced before the school year begins on September 6th.

Poll Shows Inslee With 12-point Lead Over Bryant

(Seattle, WA)  --  Democratic incumbent Jay Inslee is still holding a double-digit lead over his Republican challenger in the Washington governor's race.  The latest Elway poll of 500 registered voters shows Inslee is preferred by 48 percent, compared to 36 percent for former Seattle Port District commissioner Bill Bryant.  Sixteen percent were undecided.  
 

Vancouver Man Missing Since August 6th

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police say a man who was recently homeless and may be endangered hasn't been seen since August 6th.  Authorities say 74-year-old Richard Grady, may be in the early stages of dementia.  Officials say Grady doesn't have a cell phone or a vehicle, and has never been known to be missing for this long.  Anyone who knows Richard Grady's whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Fire Damages Tualatin Restaurant

(Tualatin, OR)  --  Investigators will try to find out what caused a fire that heavily damaged a Tualatin restaurant.  Firefighters responded shortly before midnight last night to the blaze at Miller's Homestead Restaurant on McEwan Road, where they found smoke coming from the roof of the building.  The fire was deemed under control around one a.m., and no injuries were reported.  The owner of the restaurant says the goal is to rebuild and reopen as soon as possible.

Person Of Interest Sought In Murder Of Roommate

(Coos Co., OR)  --  Coos County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who's described as a person of interest in the murder of his roommate.  Authorities say the victim's body was found around ten o'clock yesterday morning outside a house on Ross Inlet Road in Coos Bay.  Detectives are looking to question 36-year-old Lucas Mark Perkins, who lived in the house with the victim.  Deputies believe Perkins is driving a 2012 Mazda MZ3 four-door hatchback, silver or gray in color, with Oregon license plate 401 FXN.

Angler Breaks WA Bass Record

(Bothell, WA)  --  A Puget Sound-area fisherman is in the record books, after landing the largest bass ever recorded in Washington state history.  Bill Evans of Bothell was on Lake Bosworth in Marysville last Monday when he caught a largemouth bass weighing 12-point-53 pounds.  The previous state record for a largemouth bass was just over eleven-and-a-half pounds in 1977.  Evans recently moved to Washington from Ohio with his wife.

Inslee, Bryant To Hold First Debate In Spokane

(Spokane, WA)  --  The first one-on-one debate in Washington between Democratic incumbent Governor Jay Inslee and Republican challenger Bill Bryant is scheduled for Wednesday.  The debate is slated for a four p.m. start at Spokane Falls Community College.  It will be preceded at two o'clock by a debate between incumbent lieutenant governor Kim Wyman and challenger Tina Podlodowski.  KHQ-TV and The Spokesman-Review will be streaming the debates live on their websites.

Portland-area Gas Prices Down

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gasoline prices are still falling slowly.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-44 a gallon, about two-and-a-half cents lower than the average at this time last week.  The national average for regular is two-12 a gallon.

11-year-old Boy Drowns At Canby Park

(Canby, OR)  --  Police say an eleven-year-old boy who drowned in the Molalla River at Canby Community Park wasn't wearing a life jacket at the time.  The incident happened shortly after five o'clock yesterday afternoon at the park with the boy's family nearby.  Police also say the boy didn't know how to swim.  His name hasn't been released.

K-9 Helps Track Missing Boy

(Marion Co., OR)  --  The Marion County Sheriff's Office is crediting a K-9 unit for helping to find a missing boy.  The 14-year-old, named Austin, was reported missing around two o'clock yesterday afternoon after he didn't return as scheduled from bug hunting.  KATU-TV reports Deputy Jason Bernards and his K-9, Rolo, were sent to Pudding River, and were successful in finding Austin on the other side of the river from where he was supposed to be.

Two Arrested For Sex Crimes At Music Festival

(Brownsville, OR)  --  Authorities say two men are facing charges of sex crimes, following two separate incidents at the Willamette Country Music Festival in Brownsville.  The Linn County Sheriff's Office says 56-year-old Terry Allen Pepiot was arrested early yesterday morning after admitting to sexual assault of a victim.  Deputies later arrested 37-year-old Jeremy Russell Janssen of Ridgefield, Washington, after a female victim said she was sexually assaulted at the suspect's campsite.

GOP: Inslee Campaign Violated Federal Campaign Laws

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington state Republicans are claiming that Governor Jay Inslee violated federal election law with one of his campaign ads.  The ad shows Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and says Trump and GOP candidate for governor Bill Bryant are both "wrong" for the state.  State GOP Chairman Susan Hutchison tells the "Spokesman-Review" the party has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission because of a law that restricts how federal candidates can be used in paid ads for state candidates.  An Inslee spokesman says the ad, which ran before the August 2nd primary election, was legal.

Missing Beaverton Teen Found Safe

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Authorities say a group of kids found a 15-year-old Beaverton boy who had been reported missing.  Officials say the kids spotted Elvin Dejesus Gomez Mendez yesterday in the 62-hundred block of Southwest Hall Boulevard, not far from his home.  The kids then flagged down members of Washington County Search and Rescue, who confirmed Elvin's identity with Beaverton police.  Authorities tell KOIN-TV that Elvin told the kids a bag had been placed over his head and he had gotten hurt, but police say no injuries were found during an examination of the boy.

Oregon Ranked 17th For Strict DUI Laws

(Undated)  --  A new WalletHub.com survey shows Oregon is in the top tier of states that have the strictest laws against driving under the influence.  The study shows tougher DUI penalties have helped lead to a huge drop in drunk-driving fatalities nationwide since 1982.  Oregon is ranked 17th overall for tough DUI laws, 17th for prevention, and 22nd in the category of criminal penalties.  Arizona is ranked first overall, and Washington ranks 14th.
 

Portland Man Accused Of Abusing Infant Son

(Portland, OR)  --  A 25-year-old Portland man is facing charges, after being accused of abusing his five-week-old son.  Police say Samuel Dominick Phelps intentionally dropped the baby on his head and threw him at a chair last weekend.  The boy is being treated at a hospital and is expected to survive.  Phelps is charged with first- and second-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment.
 

Man Accused Of Shooting Cop Facing Multiple Charges

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A man accused of shooting a police officer and taking a woman hostage at a Gladstone Subway is facing multiple charges.  Authorities say 45-year-old Jeffrey Giddings shot Sergeant Lee Jundt after an attempted traffic stop Monday and fired shots at Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy Benjamin Frazier.  Officials say Giddings then fled into a Subway restaurant and held a woman hostage before he was arrested more than an hour later.  A preliminary hearing is slated for August 17th.

WA Republican Says No Endorsement For Trump

(Seattle, WA)  --  A Republican congressman from Washington state says he won't be supporting GOP nominee Donald Trump for president.  Representative Dave Reichert tells KIRO-TV he can't endorse someone who insults veterans and certain ethnicities.  The Auburn Republican also says he won't be voting for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.  Reichert says he's looking at the possibility of voting for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.

Fire Damages Three Townhomes In Vancouver

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Authorities say an arsonist may be responsible for a fire that damaged three townhomes in Vancouver.  Officials say the blaze was reported around 1:30 this morning at a building under construction in the 57-hundred block of 48th Street.  Firefighters had the flames under control about a half-hour after arriving.  No one was injured.  The Clark County Fire Marshal is investigating.
 

Council Approves Warehouse For Housing Homeless

(Portland, OR)  --  A plan to house about 400 homeless people in a city-owned warehouse will be formulated, after the Portland City Council gave the go-ahead.  The warehouse is located in Northwest Portland on the Willamette River.  Council chambers were packed last night, as people supporting and opposing the idea had their say.  Plans call for providing beds for homeless people in the warehouse, and include a portable kitchen inside, while portable bathrooms, showers, and washing machines would be installed outside.

Allen Announces Plans For Music Festival

(Seattle, WA)  --  Billionaire Paul Allen is planning a three-day music festival for Seattle next year.  The Microsoft co-founder says the Upstream Music Festival and Summit is being scheduled for May 11th through the 13th, 2017.  Allen says the event will include music and exhibitions at more than two-dozen venues in Pioneer Square, CenturyLink North Plaza, and the CenturyLink Field Event Center.  More information is available online at UpStreamMusicFest.com.

Commercial Fire In Vancouver

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Firefighters are battling a two-alarm blaze at a commercial building in Vancouver's VanMall neighborhood.  KOIN-TV reports the blaze was reported around 2:50 this morning in the 45-hundred block of Northeast 66th Avenue.  Officials say no firefighters were sent inside the structure because the fire was already intense when crews arrived.  Police are at the scene to handle traffic control.

Ground Broken On Hillsboro Housing Development

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Construction is officially underway on a housing development that's being described as historic.  Ground was broken yesterday on the development that will reportedly be large enough to accommodate 20-thousand people.  The area of what was once farmland is called South Hillsboro, and is bordered by Tualatin Valley Highway, Southwest 209th Avenue, and Rosedale Road.  Officials say construction of houses will begin next year, and people will likely be able to start moving in by 2018.

Missing Beaverton Boy Being Sought

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Police say a missing 15-year-old boy from Beaverton could be in danger.  Family members tell KATU-TV that Elinde Mendez speaks Spanish and has the mental capacity of a seven-year-old.  Police say the boy was last seen leaving his family's home at the Allenwood Apartments around seven o'clock yesterday evening to stop at a taco truck.  Authorities say Elinde, who's also called "Vito," is described as Latino, about five-feet-six, weighing 125 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and black pants.

Bundy Accused Of Fighting Deputies

(Portland, OR)  --  One of the co-defendants in the Malheur National Refuge takeover case is facing new charges.  Authorities say Ryan Bundy fought with deputies who were transporting him from the Multnomah County Jail yesterday morning for an appointment.  Officials say after Bundy was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed, U.S. marshals took him  to his appointment and brought him back around noon.  The sheriff's office tells KOIN-TV that Bundy is in disciplinary housing at the jail and is being charged with disruptive behavior and assaulting staff.

Congressman Wants To Change Cash-only Policy At Pot Stores

(Olympia, WA)  --  A congressman from Washington state is looking to do away with marijuana retailers having to sell their product for cash only.  Because marijuana possession is still against federal law, banks and credit unions refuse to back debit- and credit-card transactions at marijuana stores.  Representative Denny Heck says he's looking to pass legislation that would allow banks and credit unions to sanction transactions involving checks and credit- or debit-cards without legal liability.  Heck says he's received bipartisan support for the measure in the past, but congressional leaders have so far declined to get on board.

Police ID Portland Crash Victim

(Portland, OR)  --  Police continue to investigate a Northeast Portland crash that left a 69-year-old man dead.  Authorities say James Loren Duston of Portland was killed last Friday at the intersection of Northeast 82nd Avenue and Webster Street.  Police believe 38-year-old Nell Symonds, also of Portland, ran a red light and crashed into Duston's car.  Officials say the case will be turned over to the Multnomah County district attorney after the investigation is finished.

Police Officer Injured In Motorcycle Crash

(Keizer, OR)  --  A Keizer police officer is recovering from injuries he suffered in a crash.  Authorities say Officer Tyler Wampler was riding his patrol motorcycle yesterday along Chemawa Road Northeast when he was hit from behind by a car.  Police say the driver of the car cooperated with investigators.  Wampler's injuries aren't considered life-threatening.
 

Millar Appointed As WA Transportation Secretary

(Olympia, WA)  --  The new secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation is a familiar face.  Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Roger Millar to head the agency, promoting him from acting secretary.  He took over in February from Lynn Peterson, who was ousted when the state Senate declined to approve her appointment.  Until that time, Millar served as the transportation department's deputy secretary.

Police: Man Who Caused Lewis County Crash Was Texting

(Lewis Co., WA)  --  Sheriff's deputies say a nationwide warrant has been issued for a man accused of felony hit-and-run in Lewis County.  Authorities say Robert Hicks is facing a charge of vehicular assault in connection with the wreck that left a mother of ten severely injured.  Officials say evidence shows that Hicks was texting while driving at the time of the July 24th crash, which severely injured Missy Cross in the community of Winlock.  Anyone with information on the location of Robert Hicks is asked to call the Lewis County Sheriff's office at 360-740-1373.

Landlord Confesses To Killing Tenant

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A Milwaukie man who's accused of shooting his tenant to death has reportedly admitted to the charge.  Several news outlets are reporting that 66-year-old Gerald Miller of Milwaukie claims self-defense in the deadly shooting of 53-year-old Ricky McKowen at the home on Southeast Oatfield Road.  Miller claims that McKowen, who had been living in the basement of the house for three years, rarely paid his rent.  Miller says he was in the process of evicting his tenant when McKowen threatened to kill him Sunday morning, and says he shot McKowen out of fear for his own life.

Man Found Dead In Portland Motel Room

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say the death of a man whose body was found in a North Portland motel room may be a case of homicide.  The body was found yesterday in a room at the Super 8 Inn on North Interstate Avenue near Killingsworth.  Portland Police spokesman, Sergeant Pete Simpson says the death has been deemed suspicious.  An autopsy is scheduled later today.

Newport Motel Fire Victims Identified

(Newport, OR)  --  Investigators continue to try to find the cause of a motel fire that left four people dead in Newport.  Authorities say the deceased include 51-year-old Tammi Sue Hepner of Portland; 63-year-old Allen Arthur Hepner of Portland; 60-year-old Sandra Sue Shoemaker of Springfield; and 64-year-old Danny Keith Shoemaker of Springfield.  All four perished in the fire at the Newport City Center Motel on the morning of August 5th.

Officials: Roach Flamethrower Sparks Fire

(Centralia, WA)  --  Authorities say a small fire was ignited at a home in Lewis County, as a resident was using a homemade flamethrower to combat a cockroach problem.  Fire officials say crews were dispatched yesterday morning to a home in Centralia, but the resident had extinguished the flames by the time they arrived.  Investigators say the resident was using insect spray and a lighter to create a flamethrower to kill the cockroaches, and started the blaze.  No one was injured.

Police: Man Arrested After "Arsenal" Of Weapons Found

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've arrested a man who's accused of filming officers outside the East Precinct for months and possessing an "arsenal" of weapons and ammo.  Authorities say Eugene Crowl began filming police from his SUV in April and told an officer when he was pulled over at one point that he was a "Constitutionalist."  Officials say Crowl was arrested Sunday when it appeared he was conducting surveillance on the East Precinct building during a shift change.  Investigators say the cache of weapons and ammo was found in Crowl's Chevrolet Tahoe, and also say a number of weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found in his home.

Suspect Shot During Hostage Situation In Gladstone

(Gladstone, OR)  --  Authorities say a suspect who shot a police officer just before a hostage situation in Gladstone is being hospitalized.  Police say after officers tried to pull a man over on his bike yesterday, he went to a Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard Subway restaurant and fired at a police officer in the parking lot, hitting the officer in his ballistic vest.  Authorities say the suspect then barricaded himself inside the Subway and held a woman hostage.  Police say the situation came to an end around eight o'clock last night when the suspect was shot and apprehended.  The hostage was unharmed.

Pedestrian Killed, One Injured In Highway 26 Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say one pedestrian is dead and another is injured following a hit-and-run crash on Highway 26 in Portland.  Police say the wreck happened last night east of the tunnel and the driver fled afterward.  One of the victims died at the scene and the other suffered injuries that aren't considered life-threatening.  There's no word yet on a description of the vehicle.
 

Reed Pleads Not Guilty To Murders Of WA Couple

(Everett, WA)  --  Trial is set for April 2017 for John Blaine Reed, who's accused of killing a Snohomish County, Washington, couple earlier this year.  Reed, who's 53, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his former neighbors, Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude, on April 11th.  Authorities say the victims were shot to death and their bodies were dumped in a remote area several miles from their home in Oso.  A search for Reed was launched following the murders and he was arrested in Mexico in July.

92-year-old Man Killed In Lane County Crash

(Florence, OR)  --  Police are investigating a crash that left a 92-year-old man dead in Lane County.  Authorities say the wreck happened on Highway 101 north of Florence around 8:45 yesterday morning.  Troopers say a vehicle driven by 92-year-old Eugene Weigant crossed the center line and slammed into a van driven by 23-year-old Tanner Dickinson.  Weigant died later at a hospital, and Dickinson suffered minor injuries.

Deadly Shooting In Northeast Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police continue to investigate a deadly shooting in Northeast Portland.  Authorities say officers responded late Saturday night to reports of shots fired, and found a man dead next to a car in the 21-hundred block of Northeast 81st Avenue, in Portland's Madison South neighborhood.  Police say they found evidence of gunfire at the scene, and witnesses said they saw a car leave the scene after hearing the shots.  No suspects have been identified.

Beached Humpback Whale Dies On West Seattle Shore

(Seattle, WA)  --  A young humpback whale is dead, after becoming stranded on a beach in West Seattle.  NOAA fisheries personnel say the 30-foot whale died around 10:30 yesterday morning after being beached for more than two hours.  Bystanders reported around eight o'clock yesterday morning that the whale had washed ashore near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, and NOAA personnel were assisted by volunteers in working throughout the morning to keep it alive.  A NOAA scientist tells Q-13 they'll examine the whale to see if any diseases or contaminants contributed to the cause of death.

Portland-area Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are seeing lower fuel prices.  Triple-A reports the average for a gallon of regular is two-45, more than three cents cheaper than at this time last week.  The national average for regular is two-12 a gallon.

Man Accused Of Domestic Assault

(Camas, WA)  --  Police say they've arrested a Camas man after he was accused of severely assaulting his brother and his ex-girlfriend.  Authorities say 36-year-old Justin Gibson assaulted the woman and his brother, Joseph Gibson, reportedly because he thought they were trying to frame him for a crime and poison him.  Both victims are expected to survive.  Police say the Gibson brothers were also involved in a failed fake-kidnapping scheme last month with John McPhail, who was accused of trying to extort money from his mother.
 

Milwaukie Man Accused Of Killing Tenant

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  A Milwaukie man is facing charges, after being accused of shooting his tenant to death.  The shooting was reported around 10:30 yesterday morning in the 13-thousand-500 block of Southeast Oatfield Road.  Clackamas County sheriff's deputies say 66-year-old Gerald Miller called 911 and told dispatchers he shot his tenant, whose name hasn't been released.  Miller has been charged with first-degree murder and manslaughter.

Four Listed In Critical Condition Following Crash

(Ridgefield, WA)  --  Clark County sheriff's deputies say four people were hospitalized for critical injuries, following a head-on crash in Ridgefield.  Authorities say the wreck happened Saturday evening in the 44-hundred block of Northeast 259th Street.  Officials say each car was carrying two people.  No names have been released.

Fred Meyer, QFC Hiring Hundreds Of Workers

(Seattle, WA)  --  Fred Meyer and QFC stores are looking to hire up to 800 employees in Western Washington.  Those wishing to apply for openings in a variety of departments are urged to log on to jobs.fredmeyer.com or jobs.qfc.com, and return to a store tomorrow between three and eight p.m.  A Kroger Company spokesman tells the "Bellingham Herald" the job event is part of a nationwide effort to hire new workers.  Kroger held a similar event in May and hired more than eleven-thousand people across the country.

Homeless Campers Dig Tunnels In Albany

(Albany, OR)  --  Crews are slated to begin restoration today of an area of Albany that's had a series of tunnels dug by homeless people for shelter.  Officials say the elaborate network of caves and tunnels was built along the Willamette River at Simpson Park.  Albany police say the rainy season will result in the caves filling up when the river rises and likely bring down a number of trees.  Police Lieutenant Alan Lynn tells KATU-TV it will likely cost more than two-thousand dollars to fill in the caves and remove dead trees.

Body Found In Church Parking Lot

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are investigating, after a man's body was found in a church parking lot.  The body was spotted around 9:45 yesterday morning in the lot at St. Rita's Catholic Church on Northeast Prescott Street.  The man's name hasn't been released, but officials say he was 45-years-old.  No arrests have been made.

Forest Grove Man Killed In WA Crash

(Lewis Co., WA)  --  A Forest Grove man is dead, following a crash in Lewis County, Washington.  Troopers say 58-year-old William R. Ballard was riding east on his motorcycle along State Route 12 yesterday, when he lost control and crashed into a guardrail.  Police say Ballard was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene.  Authorities say Ballard was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Trump To Visit Portland, Seattle

(Undated)  --  Campaign officials say Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Portland in the coming weeks.  The billionaire real-estate mogul is also slated to visit Seattle during a west-coast swing that will include Napa, California and San Francisco between August 29th and 31st.  A campaign spokesman says Trump is scheduled to hold 21 fundraisers during the month of August.  No specific dates have been set for the West Coast visits.

Portland-area Gas Prices Trending Down

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are paying less to fill their gas tanks.  Triple-A reports the average for a gallon of regular is down about four cents from a week ago, to just under two-46.  The national average for regular is two-12 a gallon.

Man Accused Of Pulling Gun On Crowd Indicted

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is under indictment after being accused of pulling a gun on Black Lives Matter protesters in downtown Portland.  A grand jury handed up the indictment containing 21 counts against 36-year-old Michael Strickland of Portland in connection with the July 7th incident.  Police say they found several magazines and a knife on Strickland at the time.  He's currently free on bail.

Strong Apple Harvest Forecast For Washington

(Yakima, WA)  --  Washington apple growers are predicting a strong harvest this season.  The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is forecasting nearly 133-million boxes of apples, up from last year's 115-million.  It's still below the record year of 2014, which brought in nearly 142-million boxes.  Officials say favorable weather has aided this year's crop, helping produce a high-quality product and allowing growers to begin the harvest early.

Church Camp Director Facing Child-porn Charges

(Portland, OR)  --  A church camp director is on administrative leave, after being accused of producing child pornography.  Reverend James Parkhurst of Beaverton is the director of Camp and Retreat Ministry Programs for the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Church officials tell KOIN-TV the charges aren't related to Parkhurst's work for the Oregon-Idaho Conference or the camp and retreat program.
 

Vehicle Destroyed In Clark County House Fire

(Brush Prairie, WA)  --  Clark County authorities say there were no injuries as a result of a house fire in Brush Prairie.  Officials say yesterday's fire damaged the garage and part of the house, and destroyed a vehicle that was parked in front of the garage.  The homeowner and her three dogs were able to get out of the house safely.  Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

Still No Sign Of Missing Hiker

(Marion Co., OR)  --  Crews will continue their search for 21-year-old hiker Riley Zickel in the Mount Jefferson wilderness area.  Officials say forty searchers will head out around eight o'clock this morning and focus on areas along the Pacific Crest Trail.  Crews spent yesterday searching for Zickel in the southern part of Park Butte.  Zickel hasn't been seen since last week.
 

Suspect In Custody Following Hit-and-run

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've arrested a man after he caused a multi-vehicle crash and ran from the scene.  Authorities told KOIN-TV they received a report of a reckless driver yesterday afternoon in the area of Southwest Barbur and Southwest Terwilliger.  Officers say the suspect crashed and caused a chain-reaction pileup involving seven vehicles.  Police say the suspect ran, but was later apprehended on the east side of Interstate 5.

Teen Struck By Hit-and-run Driver In Troutdale

(Troutdale, OR)  --  A 15-year-old boy was able to escape with cuts and bruises after being hit by a car in Troutdale.  But police are looking for the driver, who fled the scene.  The crash happened yesterday morning at the intersection of Stark and Evans in Troutdale.  There's no word on a description of the vehicle.

Renton Police First In WA To Use Drones For Investigations

(Renton, WA)  --  The Renton Police Department is the first law-enforcement agency in Washington to use a drone for investigating crimes and accident scenes.  A Portland-based company, Cardno, is assisting the department with interpreting the data the drone gathers.  Spokesman Ron Dannenburg tells Q-13 that using the drone makes investigating much faster than the use of old-fashioned surveyor equipment.  Currently, Renton police only use the drone for major crashes or crime scenes, but the department is considering its use during standoffs or tactical responses.

Killer's Sentence Overturned For 5th Time

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Court of Appeals says a man who was 16-years-old when he stabbed a 22-year-old woman to death in Wilsonville should be resentenced.  Todd Davilla is serving a 50-year sentence for the 1991 murder of Lisa Flormoe.  The appellate court ruled yesterday that a Clackamas County judge's explanation for sentencing Davilla to 50 years in prison in 2012 wasn't enough to justify deviation from a presumptive sentence of ten years.  "The Oregonian" reports Davilla's previous five sentences were also overturned on similar grounds.
 

Washington Marijuana Sales Reach New High

(Olympia, WA)  --  Marijuana sales in Washington reached a record high in July, according to a website that tracks state recreational-pot sales.  502data.com says the state saw 23-point-five-million dollars in marijuana-generated excise taxes last month, compared to 20-million dollars in June.  July was the first month after the state closed medical marijuana dispensaries.  The website says pot sales in Washington have totaled 347-million dollars so far this year, compared to 322-million in all of 2015.

Man Hospitalized After Face Stomped By Bull

(McMinnville, OR)  --  A man in his 20s is being hospitalized, after a bull stomped on his face.  Officials say the man was riding the bull last night at a rodeo in McMinnville, and the animal stepped on his face after he fell off.  The man was airlifted to Oregon Health and Science University.  He's expected to survive.

Ventrella Asks People Not To Vote For Him, Finishes 2nd

(Olympia, WA)  --  He's being called "the accidental candidate."  Former Seattle sportscaster Tony Ventrella asked people not to vote for him in the primary election for Washington 8th District congressman, but he finished second anyway.  Ventrella, who's a Democrat, will meet Republican incumbent Dave Reichert in November, but now he's asking people not to donate money to his campaign.  Instead, he's urging voters to donate to nonprofit organizations.

Suspects In Deadly Shooting In Custody

(Salem, OR)  --  Two men who are suspected in the shooting death of a Salem man are behind bars.  Authorities say 22-year-old Denzel Cortez Hawthorne of Michigan and 20-year-old Elroy Carrera, Jr. of Illinois are expected to appear in court today on charges of murder, robbery, and burglary.  Police say the suspects were burglarizing a home on Jean Court Northeast in Salem Monday night when 44-year-old Brett White spotted the intruders and was shot in the head.  Hawthorne and Carrera were arrested yesterday morning at a motel in Woodburn.

Fire That Destroyed Vacant Home Possibly Arson

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say a fire that destroyed a vacant home in Northeast Portland may have been a case of arson.  Fire officials say the blaze was reported around 3:21 yesterday morning in the area of Northeast Dekum and Northeast Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.  Portland police say nearby homes had to be evacuated because of the intensity of the flames.  No injuries were reported.

Fire Damages SE Portland Complex

(Portland, OR)  --  Investigators will try to determine what caused a fire that damaged an apartment complex in Southeast Portland.  Portland Fire & Rescue officials say crews were dispatched early this morning to the 27-hundred block of Southeast 87th.  Authorities say the fire spread to two floors and the attic of an apartment building, then spread to nearby trees.  All residents are reported to have gotten out safely.

Ivanov Charged In Connection With Deadly Mukilteo Shootings

(Everett, WA)  --  A 19-year-old man who's accused of shooting three people to death at a Mukilteo, Washington house party is facing charges of aggravated murder and attempted first-degree murder.  Allen Christopher Ivanov is charged in the deaths of Anna Bui, Jordan Ebner, and Jacob Long, all 19-years-old, and the wounding of 18-year-old Will Kramer, in the shootings last Saturday.  Police say Ivanov told investigators that he committed the murders because Bui, whom he used to date, was moving on with her life.  Ivanov is being held without bail.

Burglar Shot To Death In Salem

(Salem, OR)  --  Police have a 17-year-old in custody, after a shooting left an accused burglar dead at a home in Salem.  Authorities say 20-year-old Anthony Brown and the 17-year-old, who's from Keizer, were burglarizing a house in the 15-hundred block of Nebraska Avenue Northeast in Salem yesterday morning, when Brown was shot and killed by the homeowner.  Police arrested the juvenile and booked him on burglary charges.

Hales Announces End Of Program For Homeless

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Mayor Charlie Hales says the city's "Safe Sleep" program for the homeless is over.  The six-month pilot program, which began in February, allowed homeless people to set out a sleeping bag or a tarp between nine p.m. and seven a.m. on city sidewalks, and allowed camping in certain areas.  But Hales says the "Safe Sleep" program caused confusion and misunderstandings and was never intended to make street-camping legal.  The mayor told KOIN-TV that police will decide which encampments to deal with, focusing mainly on areas where camping is most visible and people are causing problems.
 

Inslee, Bryant To Meet In November

(Olympia, WA)  --  Democratic incumbent Jay Inslee will meet Republican challenger Bill Bryant in the November election for Washington governor.  Initial returns show Inslee tallied 49 percent of the vote, while Bryant got 38 percent.  The other nine candidates in the race achieved single-digit showings.  The Secretary of State's office says about 24 percent of the ballots sent out across Washington for the primary election were returned by yesterday evening.

Murray Makes Strong Showing In U.S. Senate Race

(Olympia, WA)  --  Democratic incumbent Patty Murray is making a strong bid to hold her Washington U.S. Senate seat.  She garnered 53 percent of the vote in initial primary returns, while Republican Chris Vance came in second with 28 percent.  Murray and Vance will likely meet in the November general election.  The latest federal reports show Murray leads Vance in campaign funding, with more than eleven-million dollars to Vance's 293-thousand.

One Injured In Shooting In Vancouver

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police say a man was wounded during a shooting at a Vancouver apartment complex.  Shots were reported around 10:15 last night at the Springfield Meadows apartments on Northeast 66th Avenue.  Authorities say it appears the shooter ran from the scene after the victim was hit.  The victim is being treated for a wound to the back.

Bicyclist Killed On I-5 Near Woodland

(Woodland, WA)  --  Police are investigating a crash on Interstate 5 that left a bicyclist dead near Woodland.  Authorities say a car hit the cyclist early this morning on I-5 near 179th.  KOIN-TV reports the crash happened in the southbound lanes near milepost 11.  No names have been released.

Portland-area Gas Prices Drop

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are seeing a drop in gasoline prices.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for a gallon of regular at two-49 a gallon, nearly three cents lower than the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-13 a gallon.
 

Missing Milwaukie Man Found Safe In Clackamas

(Clackamas, OR)  --  Authorities say a Milwaukie man who had been reported missing is now safe.  Officials say 67-year-old Terry Brenneke, who has a history of seizures, had last been seen Saturday at his home.  Sheriff's deputies say a 911 call came in yesterday to report a man yelling for help from behind a McDonald's in the 15-thousand block of Southeast 82nd Drive in Clackamas.  Crews from various agencies found Brenneke in a thicket of blackberry bushes on a steep incline, and got him out safely.

Portland Hiker Missing In Jefferson Wilderness Area

(Marion County, OR)  --  A search is slated to resume later this morning for a Portland man who got lost on a hike in the Jefferson Wilderness area in Marion County.  Authorities say 21-year-old Ryan Zickel had planned to stay only Wednesday night on the hiking trip, but he hasn't been seen since.  Crews from Linn County, Polk County, the US Forest Service, and the Air National Guard are assisting Marion County crews in the search.
 

Fire Destroys Tualatin Business

(Tualatin, OR)  --  Investigators are trying to find out what caused a fire that destroyed a family-run business in Tualatin.  Authorities say firefighters were sent to the Clark Lumber and True Value Hardware store on Southwest Nyberg Street around 2:30 yesterday morning.  Crews reported having to stay outside the steel-frame-and-concrete building because the contents that burned made the inside feel like an oven.  The store reportedly had been in business for 50 years, operated by the same family.  No injuries were reported.

Hundreds Attend Vigil For WA Shooting Victims

(Mukilteo, WA)  --  Mukilteo, Washington residents are still mourning the losses of three 19-year-olds who were shot and killed at a house party.  Nineteen-year-olds Anna Bui, Jordan Ebner, and Jake Long were remembered last night at a vigil at the LDS Church next to Kamiak High School.  Governor Jay Inslee was among those in attendance, and said "continued gun violence is unacceptable, and acceptance of gun violence is unacceptable."  The 19-year-old man accused of shooting the victims, Allen Christopher Ivanov, is expected to appear in court today.

Deadline To Turn In Primary Ballots Tomorrow

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington voters have until the end of the day tomorrow to turn in their ballots for the primary elections across the state.  State elections officials tell the "Spokesman-Review" only about one in eight ballots have been sent back so far.  Each ballot includes 17 candidates for U.S. senator, eleven for governor, and eleven for lieutenant governor.  Seven candidates are also vying to become the next Public Lands commissioner, and three incumbents are seeking re-election to the state Supreme Court.

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